Adrian Mendoza looked like a seasoned collegiate veteran from the first time he stepped onto the field in August for the University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars.

The freshman from Katy was nearly unstoppable for the Jaguars this season where he shattered nearly ever scoring record in UHV's short two-year soccer history.

That effort garnered Mendoza many awards including first-team All-Association of Independent Institutions Conference honors, as well as his most recent recognition as a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NAIA All-Southwest Region team.

The 5-foot-7 forward shattered or tied numerous UHV men's single-game scoring records as well as single-season and career scoring marks for the Jaguars. And those marks no doubt will continue to grow as his career progresses.

"That was my goal coming in, to score as many goals as I could for the Jaguars," Mendoza. "But I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without the rest of my teammates. They have played a pivotal role as well in my early successes."

Mendoza wasted little time in his assault on the UHV record book when he became the first player to score a hat trick with three goals in a season-opening 3-0 win over Northwood University. He also set a single-game record for most points in a game in that contest with six. He also holds the single-game record for most shots at seven in a season-ending loss to UT-Brownsville.

"He was truly the sparkplug of our team," UHV head soccer coach Adrian Rigby said. "He was a leader, he worked hard in practice and gave it is all on the field."

He shares the UHV record for most games played in a season at 17, while his 15 goals, 33 points and six game-winning goals are all season and career bests at UHV.

He is also ranked No. 8 in the nation in the National Association in Intercollegiate Athletics in game-winning goals per game (0.350) and No. 9 in total game-winning goals (6) for the 2011 season. His 15 goals also led the Association of Independent Institutions Conference in goals scored.

Mendoza is quick to point to his teammate for his early successes as a Jaguar.

"We have really become like a family and look after each other's backs," Mendoza said. "When we see one person out there working hard it carries right on over to each of us as we want to work just as hard if not harder than that player. Our work ethics really breed off of each other."

Those efforts paid off with him and teammate Nathan Kenyon, the team's goalkeeper, earning first team all-conference honors.

"We have a great coaching staff and that has helped us a lot," Mendoza said. "They always keep us focused on the next game and never looking ahead or worrying about what was. That has given us a positive outlook and helped keep us sharp on the field."

2011 NAIA Men's NSCAA All-Southwest Team

Pos.           Player                      Class     School                           Hometown

D               John Gardner            Sr.         Science & Arts (OK)     Liverpool, England

D               Scott Parkinson         So.         Science & Arts (OK)     Liverpool, England

M               Nall Crick                 Sr.         Science & Arts (OK)     Leith, Scotland

M               Orrin Farrell              So.         UT-Brownsville             Eddenderry, Ireland

M               Neil Hilton                Sr.         Oklahoma Christian      Liverpool, England

M               Henrique Souza        Sr.         Rogers State (OK)         Sao Paulo, Brazil

F                Victor Costa              Jr.          Oklahoma Baptist          Natal, Brazil

F                Billy Forbes              Jr.          Lubbock Christian         Providenciales Turks & Caicos

F                Adrian Mendoza       Fr.         Houston-Victoria           Katy, Texas

F                Mario Perez              Jr.          UT-Brownsville             Brownsville, Texas

F                Leigh Veidman         Jr.          UT-Brownsville             Liverpool, England